Google Latitude & Boss

Tygermoth

Hello again everyone.

This is a bit of an odd one.


As I have advised before we have been made redundant and my Unit Boss seems to think that we are just going to stop working, start taking the proverbial or leave before the hand over to the new outsourceing company. He is utterly obsessed when we are being given time away for interviews (very reluctantly) that we are just skiving.

In a 'haha would you mind terribly' tone today he stated he would expect us all to consent to add each of us on latitude... (Google tracking showing where you are on a map via your mobile)
His argument was the old ‘if you are not doing anything wrong then you have nothing to fear’ stance.


Luckily before he could get to the end of his speech the fire alarm went off and we had to decamp outside then it was home time.
He is likely to recommence this offensive tomorrow and I want to get my ducks in a row before that (especially after the blinking Milk fiasco see previous thread)


Is there rule/laws or protections for us which would mean could say no and back it up? I am SO going to say no anyway but if I can add that it breaches...... this, that and the other regulation.......... it makes it about rules and law and not just me (who he can’t stand, not that I give a flying fig) being awkward again.


Thanks!

tizerbelle

Presumably it's a company phone not a personal one?

No idea what you could quote laws/regulations wise. Me (as I wouldn't be taking the p*** re reasonable time off for interviews) I'd be likely to say "yeah, sure I'll put it on now"

But when I leave work to go for an interview the phone would be switched off as I left the building and if he queried it, it would be - I'm going for an interview, I can't leave it on - what if it rang during the interview and you know what I'm like if I don't switch it off when I think about it as I leave, I'll forget and then you can guarantee it will ring in the middle of the interview.

Then there'd be occassions where I forget the phone - left on desk under some paper.

Perhaps I visit the bathroom before I leave, put the phone on the windowsill / sink edge and oops forgot to pick it up!

If he queries this scatty brain you're developing - it's just the stress of having to find a new job especially as times are hard, worrying about the future and still wanting to do a great job for the company - it must just be getting a bit much for the old grey cells to cope with

DVardysShadow

I do remember the milk, it's here and I linked it because I think it is very relevant to understanding the brass hole you are dealing with

I would not even get ducks in a line. It is not for you to show that he does not have the right, but for him to show that he does. I would just say "Sorry, unless you can show me that you have the right, I am refusing to let you use my personal phone number for this purpose". He could, I suppose, give you a company phone, but I would be inclined to switch it off and leave it in my desk in your position. If they are making you redundant, he can hardly claim that you need to be available during your interviews.

Do make sure that you have an appointment in writing for every interview and you keep copies off the premises.

Tygermoth

Thanks guys.

Its our personal phones, we would never be given a work phone.

Heavens Forbid. Thats for the likes of Managers only.

So I am going down the route of just NO.

Poor HR lady, she will be dragged back in again lolol

DVardysShadow

Tygermoth wrote: »

... we would never be given a work phone.

Heavens Forbid. Thats for the likes of Managers only.

Indeed, they need every technological aid in the fight against milk theft.

Tygermoth

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Indeed, they need every technological aid in the fight against milk theft.

Ok, that made me laugh like a drain.

:rotfl:

tizerbelle

Tygermoth wrote: »

Thanks guys.

Its our personal phones, we would never be given a work phone.

Heavens Forbid. Thats for the likes of Managers only.

So I am going down the route of just NO.

Poor HR lady, she will be dragged back in again lolol

Personal phone - absolutely no way on this earth would I comply. It's a personal phone not a work phone so it is not available for work use of any nature and who's to say he wouldn't be checking up on where you are when you aren't at work - eg weekends

DVardysShadow

Tygermoth wrote: »

In a 'haha would you mind terribly' tone today he stated he would expect us all to consent to add each of us on latitude... (Google tracking showing where you are on a map via your mobile)
His argument was the old ‘if you are not doing anything wrong then you have nothing to fear’ stance.

I have come back with an afterthought on this.

You were not doing anything wrong - using your own milk, but you were up on a disciplinary for that. I think I would face him down with that - publicly if he comes back to the point publicly - or privately if he comes back to it privately.

tizerbelle

Shame that there won't be a news of the world next weekend - would have been great to read about "The Phone-y Milk-Gate Saga"

kazzah60

what a breach of your human rights !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(surely it must be!!!!)

he wants to track your own personal phone - he would have two hopes with me
bob hope and no hope

this would be the point where I would say " sorry, had to give my phone up , I can't afford the contract now I'm being made redundant !

this man is starting to sound more and more like Basil Fawlty !!!!!!!!!

ceridwen

Tygermoth wrote: »

Thanks guys.

Its our personal phones, we would never be given a work phone.

Heavens Forbid. Thats for the likes of Managers only.

So I am going down the route of just NO.

Poor HR lady, she will be dragged back in again lolol

Well I would certainly take the view that "You cant tell me what to do with my PERSONAL phone".

So - whether you do it straight out openly on the one hand or are a bit devious and find that "it seems to have broken and I cant afford to replace it yet..." on the other hand is up to you.